Senior Director, ICT4D and Technology Innovation

Summary

Save the Children is looking for a well-rounded expert in the field of Information and Communications Technology for Development (ICT4D) to build and drive our technology innovation strategy, lead a team of software engineers to work with Save the Children colleagues to develop and implement technology based solutions to bolster our health, education, humanitarian response, hunger & livelihoods and child protection programs, and address the digital divide here in the United States and around the world.

Adding an entirely new capacity to Save the Children, you’ll build your team from the ground up, leading technology initiatives that improve our program results, increase our reach, amplify our impact, and position Save the Children as an innovator in technology for development. In addition, this person may be asked to support tech-based initiatives that connect our donors, partners, supporters and the American public to our programs, building awareness of and increase funding for our work.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)

As a part of a new effort at Save the Children, the successful candidate will work across our organization to help identify and execute ways in which technology can help us deliver high quality programs and services to reach the world’s most deprived children. With primary strategic steers coming from the Office of the President, Head of US Programs, Head of International Programs, and our Innovations team, you will assess Save the Children’s current situation, needs and existing portfolio of projects in order to begin developing a holistic ICT4D strategy for our mission. You will do this while also building a new team within Save the Children to support that strategy. Thereafter, your ongoing primary responsibilities will include:

1. Strategic leadership of ICT4D (50%)

• Working with U.S. programs, international programs, and resource development teams you’ll serve as a subject matter expert on field based technology and business processes to:
  1. identify innovative technology solutions to program-assessed barriers;
  2. ensure the appropriate technology is included in our programs and proposals;
  3. make “build or buy” decisions and help to support innovative technology solutions implemented by our program teams.
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• Lead peer and ‘white space’ assessments so that we can shape our ICT4D strategy based on knowledge of current best practices and the leading edge of next generation donor interests in this space.
• You’ll work with the program based Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) and research teams to measure and demonstrate the strategic impact of technology projects, using the knowledge generated for learning and improving the quality of ongoing as well as future interventions.

• You’ll be a key player for Save the Children US within Save the Children International’s Technology Community of Practice.

• You’ll be expected to travel (up to 40%), both domestic and international, to identify opportunities, build partnerships, attend conferences and meetings, and lead the development of technology based solutions designed to improve opportunities for the most marginalized children and communities around the world.

1. Grant funded project delivery (40%)

• You will serve as an advisor to Save the Children’s ambitious new technology project, Enriching Communities with Computing, in partrnership with Endless Mobile, Inc. and on a global project with the same partner, once it begins in 2018.
• Leading a team of two software engineers, you will ensure that all development and configuration milestones for the above project are met on time and within budget.
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• Cross-cutting innovation support (10%)

• You will serve as the ICT4D innovation champion, which is part of a larger network that supports staff to develop innovations that will help Save the Children deliver on our strategic initiatives and breakthroughs for children;
• You’ll keep current and serve as the subject matter expert on initiatives, technologies, platforms and innovations within the ICT4D sector.

Required Qualifications

• You have a Masters in a computer science related field, or equivalent industry experience and a good foundation of software development.
• 10+ years of current and progressive experience managing/directing innovative software product development.
• You have domestic or global development and/or field level experience and you’ve worked overseas.
• You have a strong track record in designing, writing and building software, applications and other user facing technology solutions.
• You know what works and you stay on top of trends and cutting edge solutions within the field of ICT4D.
• You have proven project and product lifecycle management experience and a proven track record of bringing new solutions from concept to launch.
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Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Open source software and understanding of open-source initiatives
• Experience with developing software using human centered design.
• Experience with KoBo Toolbox, CommCare, DHIS 2, ArcGIS and other mapping software.
• You are familiar with the tech landscape in rural America and the developing world. You have a deep external network in the field.
• You excel at working cross-functionally, are collaborative and a value-add team player.
• You can liaise between a diverse group of business units, teams, subject matter experts, country offices, senior leadership and executives.
• You have the ability to travel extensively and manage a team and initiatives working in a remote capacity.
• You are a problem-solver
• You are progressive, creative, and entrepreneurial – an idea generator
• You possess a can do spirit and willingness and ability to execute
• You are unafraid of failure and taking risks – you like to innovate and push boundaries

What’s In It for You

• Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
• A family friendly work environment
• Highly collaborative and innovative teams
• Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
• Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
• Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
• Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
• Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities and with the American Management Association, as well as language learning opportunities

Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we are dedicated to ensuring every child has the best chance for success. Our pioneering programs give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Our advocacy efforts provide a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves. As the leading expert on children, we inspire and achieve lasting impact for millions of the world's most vulnerable girls and boys. By transforming children's lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom Save the Children is in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children’s policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation. Any violations of this policy will be treated as a serious issue.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.